Fire officials say dry land, wind causing 'tinderbox'

Crews said this past weekend is one of the busiest they've had in a long time.

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -

Despite plenty of recent rain, fire officials
said grass and vegetation are still very dry. Those conditions combined with
wind are creating the perfect recipe for fires.

Fire crews had little time for rest Monday,
still responding to repeated calls after a weekend full of brush fires. A fire
in Ardmore Monday, for example, burned more than an acre and threatened several
homes and structures.

Crews said this
past weekend is one of the busiest they've had in a long time, and the dry
and windy conditions have contributed to fires in both rural and suburban
areas. They ask people to use common sense if they're going to burn.

East Limestone Volunteer Fire Chief Joey Boyd
said conditions make the area like a tinderbox. "Once it starts, and with any
bit of wind, especially with lawns and short grass, it's going to run across
the top of it in just minutes," he said.

Firefighters said they've seen fires start in
several ways in the last few days, including people flicking cigarette butts
out the window and into the brush. They also advise people to check chains on
the back of any trailer they might have; if it drags on the ground, it could
cause sparks. They also said fires have started from broken tires, with the
broken rubber acting as an ignition source.

"Any time you have an open flame, be careful
of it. Don't leave it unattended, and don't hesitate to call, even if it seems
minor. We'd rather come out on something small than something big," said
Huntsville Fire Chief David Button.

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